If you’ve read my blog at all over the last few years, you’re probably aware of the fact that I am a big fan of the Star Trek franchise. However, my fandom didn’t begin in earnest until the debut of Star Trek: The Next Generation in the fall of 1987. We were four years removed from what was then the last Star Wars movie, Return of the Jedi, and I saw TNG has a great “jumping on point” for the Star Trek franchise.
In 1987, I was an 8th grade in junior high, a truly awkward time for most people. I didn’t have a lot of friends and was having trouble adapting to the next social hierarchy. TNG was an escape for me. It was an opportunity to “get together with some friends” every weekend. The show stayed with me, like a companion all through high school and into college.
It is now been just over 30 years since the series finale of Star Trek: The Next Generation aired. And while I think that Star Trek: Deep Space Nine ultimately became a better television show, TNG will always be my sentimental favorite.
With that in mind, here is a list, as of today, of my 10 favorite episode episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, in no particular order. I know that there are more than a few great episodes I left off this list; basically because the show was that damn good. Let the debating begin…
“The Inner Light”
Season 5, episode 25 Captain Picard is scanned by an alien probe and, in a span of 25 minutes, he experiences the memories of a life completely unlike his own.
“Yesterday’s Enterprise”
Season3, episode 15 A time portal opens in space and the Enterprise C, the predecessor to Picard‘s ship, comes through and alters history. Picard & his crew must send the Enterprise C back through the rift in order to restore their timeline.
“The Best of Both Worlds, parts I and II”
Season 3, Episode 26, and Season 4, Episode 1 The Borg return. This time they’re looking for a human spokesperson as they plan to invade Earth, and they have chosen Captain Picard. Part one of this episode served as the season three finale; giving fans perhaps the greatest season-ending cliffhanger in television history.
“The Measure of a Man”
Season 2, episode 9 A Starfleet scientist, determined to experiment on o, takes his case to court where Captain Picard must defend Data, and Commander Riker must prosecute against him. Vintage Star Trek courtroom drama!
“Reunion”
Season 4, episode 7 Worf’s lover returns to the Enterprise, with their illegitimate son in tow! Picard is forced to choose the next leader of the Klingon empire.
“All Good Things…”
Season 7, Episode 25 This two-part series finale sees Captain Picard shift between his past, his present, and a possible future as Q’s “trial against humanity, finally comes to a conclusion. This was a if-budget feature-length story; far superior to TNG’s big screen debut in Star Trek: Generations just a few months later
“The Offspring”
Season 3, episode 16 Data constructs an android daughter and experiences the trials & tribulations of parenthood. This one is a tear-jerker
“Tapestry”
Season 6, episode 15 An accident on an away-mission leaves Picard dead, and Q gives him the chance to relive his past and “do things differently”
“Lower Decks”
Season 7, episode 15 An “upstairs-downstairs” episode that features a day in the life of some of the Enterprise’s junior officers.
“Cause & Effect”
Season 5, episode 15 The Enterprise is caught in a time loop, forcing the crew to relive the destruction of the ship over and over. Don’t try to adjust your TV when you watch this one…
Thanks for stopping by Rebuilding Rob. Be sure to like, 👍 comment and subscribe to my blog below. It’s greatly appreciated! Also, feel free to follow me on social media as well! Check out my most recent posts as well as some earlier, related posts:
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The article “Rob’s top 5 Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes” first appeared on Rebuilding Rob.
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